Spanish newspaper and website AS claims Arsenal linked striker Alessio Cerci will only leave the club if Diego Simeone can find a replacement.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old Italian in recent reports, with Arsene Wenger seemingly keen to freshen up his attack over the second half of the season.

If reports of his interest are accurate, Arsenal have the green light to go after him according to the Spanish newspaper as long as Atleti’s boss can bring in another player.

“What seems certain is that if Atlético let Cerci go, they will need to sign a replacement due to the thinness of Simeone's squad,” reports AS.

Arsenal are linked with a number of talented attacking players at the moment but it’s doubtful whether Arsene Wenger will add a striker halfway through the season, unless that player is a superstar forward.

The Frenchman has all bases covered with different styles and roles produced by Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell.

He has an extremely high number of attacking options available and because of that, it’s doubtful he’d bring anyone in unless they’re extremely high profile players who could slot into the team.

Lewis Doe

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